Bombardier E2 Class

E2s going straight onto route 96. Let me guess, the E1s are already too old for the vegan-soy-latte crowds of Brunswick so those ones are going to the 86 and 19 to replace the last of the B2s. I suppose at least get to have comfy seats for another twelve or so years on route 75. ...

As a 96'er myself I have to object to you singling out Brunswick people as "vegan-soy-latte crowds". I'll have you know that people in Fitzroy, Carlton, Albert Park, Middle Park and especially St Kilda are no less that way than Brunswick people are.

Actually Labour ran dead in the Melbourne electorate at the last federal election, they put so little time and money into the inner north that they actually came third. The Greens won, but the Libs came second. But to the south of the city, both the Libs and Greens have been doing well in the state seat of Albert Park, so perhaps putting the newest trams on the 96 route is an
attempt to shore up the ALP vote in that area?Bogong

No Bogong the Route 96 was always going to have E class trams and the newest ones will be sent there regardless of what Political Part is in charge.

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E2s going straight onto route 96. Let me guess, the E1s are already too old for the vegan-soy-latte crowds of Brunswick so those ones are going to the 86 and 19 to replace the last of the B2s. I suppose at least get to have comfy seats for another twelve or so years on route 75.

As for uncomfortable seats, vandal-proofing them has almost nothing to do with hard seats with practically no padding under the fabric. When a B2 has its seats slashed by a bunch of teenagers hiding all the way down at the other end, the seat cushions are replaced with the exact same ones, they don't magically put a plastic Citadis seat on top of where the old one was (that said, the Comeng trains actually do have "new" seats sitting right on top of the old fibreglass bases at the non-driving end).

Also, a single tram now costs more than the average TattsLotto jackpot? When will someone buy Holden and start selling Kingswoods using new old stock HQ parts for only $499,999?Heihachi_73

Yep, at $13.7 Million that is eye watering expensive for a tram!!!

Michael

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 13:29

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The B class tram only has two carbody sections, so it does need a bogie under the articulation. Also, bogies under articulations are standard on high floor L.R.V models, so no advantage of having floating articulations.

Our Flexity Melbourne has three sections, so both centre bogies can be under that section and the design still symmetrical. And two bogies under the centre section is a standard feature of Bombardier low-floor trams.

Contact Myrtone

The above posts detailing the reasons for various mechanical designs are quite informative, thank you.

Re internal seating arrangement . I personally would have thought that seats along the side wall only, with appropriate grab handles in the centre would allow for heavier peak loading whilst ensuring most off peak passengers have a seat.

However, if someone knows why this is not the case I would appreciate being informed please.

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Will tram routes other than the 96, 86 and 19 actually get anything besides relocated high floor trams once all of the E classes are running? Replacing the Swanston St Z1s with Z3s is hardly an upgrade.

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 18:42

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Location: At the back of the train, quitely doing exactly what you'd expect.

Will tram routes other than the 96, 86 and 19 actually get anything besides relocated high floor trams once all of the E classes are running? Replacing the Swanston St Z1s with Z3s is hardly an upgrade.Heihachi_73

They seem to be running D1s on route 55 now.

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 22:42

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Will tram routes other than the 96, 86 and 19 actually get anything besides relocated high floor trams once all of the E classes are running? Replacing the Swanston St Z1s with Z3s is hardly an upgrade.

They seem to be running D1s on route 55 now.railblogger

I would assume that this has something to do with Malvern soon sharing route 58 with Essendon.

Whenever the route changes happen (midyear apparently) Glenhuntly is going to gain a bunch of Bs for routes 3, 3a, 64 and 67. That should help improve capacity on Swanston street.

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One would hope 75 or 109, but I wouldn't mind seeing route 59 get a well-deserved upgrade, which would free some B2s for other routes, although the 57 would still cop Z3s as they still haven't bothered upgrading anything to cope with anything larger than a W class tram, which is quite pathetic really, given that the last W-sized tram (A2 300) was made thirty years ago.

Posted: 13 Jul 2017 07:02

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Given that it is most likely to keep all E class at same depots short term, I'd presume that the Holden st link would be built to allow 11 and 96 to be shared between Preston and Southbank. Possibly then C2 transferred to Kew and allow E1/C2/C on 109 from respective ends (Southbank E1, Kew C2/C) and C fully on 48. Followed by E1 on 59 and transfer 57 (still Z3 sorry) to William st once Elizabeth st all E1 (59) and D2 (19), given that 19 and 59 may eventually run via new curves into Flinders St towards Punt rd and tennis centre. I'd transfer D2 to Malvern progressively with E1 on 19 and deal with 75 using B2 with enhanced frequencies (assuming even more E2 ordered following any allocation for 59). Think that 1st 70 E/E2 will only cover 96, 11, 86 and maybe a few 109. Will need more for 59, and 19 after that. Would presumably require further patronage increases to justify first. Obviously E1 to 75 after that.